In the midst of the 1980s, Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson finds himself living a life of excess: parties, women, and a lifestyle that many in Washington would envy. However, behind his carefree image, there is a man who cares about the injustices of the world. When he learns of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the atrocities Afghan people suffer at the hands of Russian troops, his sense of justice ignites. With the help of the shrewd and persuasive socialite Joanne Herring and a seasoned CIA officer named Gust Avrakotos, Wilson embarks on an almost impossible mission: to support the Afghan mujahideen in their fight for freedom.
As he navigates the complex terrain of politics and international intrigue, Charlie uses his charisma and connections to increase the budget for covert operations and secure weaponry for the rebels. But as the conflict escalates, Wilson realizes that while he is winning battles on the battlefield, the consequences of his involvement could be deeper than he imagines. Thus, amid a cocktail of humor and drama, the film becomes a reflection on power, greed, and the implications of foreign intervention in a fractured world. Charlie Wilson's story is an ironic and poignant look at how, sometimes, wars are waged as much with bullets as with speeches and unexpected decisions.